Shelf with integrated book/object holder

ABSTRACT

The invention represents a new and useful improvement in storing, support and display of objects as it provides an integrated, solid, self-contained book and object holder comprised of a planar surface and built-in insets that can be pulled up to a vertical position when needed and concealed back down when not in use without require disassembly or external elements. The invention can be of any suitable rigid or semi rigid material and can hold objects upright in different locations within the supporting surface in a seamless and customizable look, easy to manufacture, easy to transport easy to use. The invention might be free standing or mounted within a bookcase, portable, mounted horizontally or at an angle, with one ore multiple shelves and an adaptable number of insets.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to shelving systems, foldable and removable bookends, display entities, office organizers, free standing shelf units, wall mounted storage units, office units and home furniture.

Shelves and supporting systems for the storage and display of books and objects of various nature are found in residential, educational and industrial locations, in a variety of designs and configurations. Typically the shelf itself is a planar surface extending across two fixed points, either sides of a bookcase or brackets onto a wall. Frequently and often intentionally, fewer books than the total number which would fill the shelf are placed. Maintaining such books and objects in an upright position on a shelf is more difficult than it would appear. When not using the weight of the books to create a counter leverage to prevent them from falling, three types of solutions are commonly devised:

-   -   1. At least one external bookend is placed on the shelf for         support. Such add-on bookends can be free-standing, using its         own weight to hold the books, or could be attached either to the         planar surface of the shelf or to the wall. These independent         mechanisms often need to be acquired and attached separately.         Some of these leave marks on the shelf surface, or are often not         heavy enough to provide adequate support, or not very reliable.     -   2. Lockable bookends have been devised which slide along tracks         or are somehow fastened to the shelf. These are often stronger         but clumsier, harder to remove when not in use, require storage         of additional parts and leave the shelf with an empty track or         channels and an unfinished look that is not desirable.     -   3. Combinations of shelves and bookends themselves are         positioned in non-vertical positions (e.g. a slant) to hold the         books by incasing them.

This invention provides an integrated book and object holder apparatus which overcomes the challenges above, it is solid and self contained, doesn't require external elements or fasteners, and is simple in construction for a low manufacturing cost.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and useful improvement in the storing, support and display of books and objects on a planar surface. The invention provides built-in inset(s) in multiple locations of a shelf to hold/divide objects, without visible hinges or screws; inset(s) that can be concealed when not in use, without requiring disassembly. The inset(s) can hold objects upright in different locations within the supporting surface in a seamless and unified look

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1A: A perspective view of the bookshelf with the insets in horizontal position, constructed in accordance with the definition of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B: A perspective view of the bookshelf with the insets in vertical position, constructed in accordance with the definition of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A: A disassembled perspective view of the individual components, constructed in accordance with the definition of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2B: An exploited view, constructed in accordance with the definition of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3: A bottom/top view, constructed in accordance with the definition of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4A: A cross sectional view, constructed in accordance with the definition of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4B: A cross sectional view, constructed in accordance with the definition of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5A: A perspective view of another embodiment of the bookshelf.

FIG. 5B: A perspective view of another embodiment of the bookshelf.

FIG. 5C: A perspective view of another embodiment of the bookshelf.

FIG. 5D: A perspective view of another embodiment of the bookshelf.

FIG. 5E: A perspective view of another embodiment of the bookshelf.

FIG. 6A: Another embodiment with insets of different heights—All tall.

FIG. 6B: Another embodiment with insets of different heights—All Small.

FIG. 6C: Another embodiment with insets of different heights—Mixed Lengths.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises of a book and object divider and holding device comprising several components, in combination:

-   -   1. As in FIG. 1A, first provided is an elongated base member or         planar surface (The shelf), made of rigid or semi-rigid material         and used to support books and objects. The shelf has a front         side, a backside, an upper end and a lower end, two opposing         side ends and an intermediate planar area. The shelf can have         rectilinear as well as oval configuration. The overall shape of         the shelf can be modified to multiple shapes, which include a         flat end to go against the wall and still work as a supporting         horizontal member. The shelf can be placed on an angle. Within         the planar area, there are one or more cut contact plates, as in         FIG. 1B, members made of rigid or semi-rigid material of similar         or lesser thickness than the base plate itself, often but not         necessarily always of the same material of the base plate. They         could for example be of see-through plastic material and be         barely visible when standing as well. Because each supporting         member (inset) is a cutout of the shape of the horizontal body,         and therefore it always fits back into place when put on flat         position. Each inset is held by an extruding edge. Each inset         has its own individual hinge and support. Depending on the         material of the shelf and the insert, adequate tolerances are         applied to enable the insert to fall back into place with no         resistance. When used as a support the inset(s) can be pulled up         from the planar surface or fixture and rotated to the vertical         position. The inset(s) stay locked in vertical position by the         edges of the holder they are cut out from. The borders prevent         the inset(s) from angling further than the desired distance.     -   2. In more detail, the insets can be moved by hand, or through         additional mechanisms to pull it up or put it down into place.         Because the inset(s) are only supported by a small edge within         the hole in which they reside, they can be accessed from the         bottom and pulled up to be in use. Each individual inset is         separate and independent from the others and can be in rest or         upward position based on need of the user. The location of the         insets along the horizontal axis of the supporting unit can vary         depending on the length of the shelf, as well as the material.         The hinge provides sufficient support to hold the inserts in         both vertical and horizontal position, and works as center point         for its rotation from flat to vertical position. The hinge is         never visible since it is hidden between the planks that compose         the shelf and cram the elements. The hinge can be a metal, wood,         or plastic insert or any kind of moving hinge that allows the         inserts to move from a flat position to a standing position.     -   3. The system can be manufactured in a variety of different         materials and variations including wood, metal, plastic,         laminated wood, Corian, glass, and composites, which could be         also combined with each other. Each material will give the         opportunity to change the general dimensions and proportions of         the shelf. It will also permit to eliminate additional elements         such as hardware or manufacturing steps that are currently used         to assemble the shelf. In this respect, before explaining at         least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be         understood and obvious to one skilled in the art, that the         invention is not limited in its application to the detail of         construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth         in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The         invention is capable of other embodiments and of being carried         out in various ways around its key claim.

The Advantages of the present invention include, without limitations:

-   -   1. Simplicity, portability and strength of the construction for         a low manufacturing cost, ease of use, long-term reliability and         portability. The shelf can be flat packed, simplifying         transportation and storage.     -   2. Flexibility and adaptability of the design to multiple         functional configurations, where not only books can be stored         but other decorative and personal items. 

1. A shelf with integrated holder for books and other objects, comprising: a supporting rigid generally flat panel having a top surface provided with at least one pre-cut recess; at least one rigid inset separate and distinct from said flat panel moveably mounted on said flat panel and generally configured to be substantially fully received within said at least one recess in a retracted position when not in use to be substantially becoming concealed from view and moveable out of said pre-cut recess to an extended position to project above said top surface to an operative position; and hinge means for mechanically connecting said at least one inset to said flat panel and for pivotally mounting said at least one inset between said retracted position substantially when received within said pre-cut recess and said extended operative position angularly displaced from said retracted position, whereby said inset can be selectively and repeatedly moved between said retracted and extended positions to either be substantially concealed when not in use or in a position to support a book or other object on said top surface when in use.
 2. (canceled)
 3. (canceled)
 4. A shelf as defined in claim 1, wherein a plurality of pre-cut recesses and a corresponding number of associated insets are provided on said surface.
 5. A shelf as defined in claim 4, wherein said recesses and built-in insets are provided in pairs and spaced from each other to selectively secure an object or a plurality of stacked objects on opposite sides.
 6. A shelf as defined in claim 1, wherein said hinge means comprises a pivot pin associated with each inset and arranged below said top surface,
 7. A shelf as defined in claim 4, wherein said surface is a surface of a shelf having a pre-determined thickness and said insets have a thickness no greater than said predetermined thickness.
 8. A shelf as defined in claim 1, wherein said hinge means includes a pin generally parallel to said top surface and extending through each inset and anchored within said flat panel.
 9. A shelf as defined in claim 1, wherein each inset defines an angle with said top surface substantially equal to 0° in said retracted positions to be generally co-extensive with said flat panel.
 10. A shelf as defined in claim 1, wherein each inset defines an angle with said top surface no greater than approximately 92° in said extended position.
 11. A shelf as defined in claim 1, wherein said flat panel is integrated within a book case.
 12. A shelf as defined in claim 1, wherein said flat panel is mounted on a bracket.
 13. A shelf as defined in claim 1, wherein said flat panel is integrated within a drawer.
 14. A shelf as defined in claim 1, wherein said flat panel is integrated with a display or stand.
 15. A shelf as defined in claim 1, wherein a plurality of insets are provided said insets are arranged in different positions to accommodate different sizes and arrangements of objects or stacks of objects.
 16. A shelf as defined in claim 1, further comprising first stop means for preventing said insets from pivoting below said flat panel.
 17. A shelf as defined in claim 16, wherein said first stop means comprises a lap or rabbet joint formed by said panel and said inset below said top surface.
 18. A shelf as defined in claim 1, further comprising second stop means for preventing said inset from pivoting beyond said extended operative position,
 19. A shelf as defined in claim 18, wherein said second stop means comprises a stop corner on said recess proximate to said hinge means positioned to engage said inset when moved to said extended position.
 20. A book case comprising at least one shelf with integrated holder for books and other objects, said at least one shelf comprising: a supporting rigid generally flat panel having a top surface provided with at least one pre-cut recess; at least one rigid inset separate and distinct from said flat panel moveably mounted on said flat panel and generally configured to be substantially fully received within said at least one recess in a retracted position when not in use to be substantially concealed from view and moveable out of said pre-cut recess to an extended position to project above said top surface to an operative position; and hinge means for mechanically connecting said at least one inset to said flat panel and for pivotally mounting said at least one inset between said retracted position substantially when received within said pre-cut recess and said extended operative position angularly displaced from said retracted position, whereby said inset can be selectively and repeatedly moved between said retracted and extended positions to either be substantially concealed when not in use or in a position to support a book or other object on said top surface when in use.
 21. A method of supporting an object or stack of objects on a shelf with integrated holder for books and other objects, including a supporting rigid generally flat panel having a top surface provided with at least one pre-cut recess; at least one rigid inset separate and distinct from said flat panel moveably mounted on said flat panel and generally configured to be substantially fully received within said at least one recess in a retracted position, when not in use to be substantially concealed from view and moveable out of said pre-cut recess to an extended position to project above said top surface to an operative position; and hinge means for mechanically connecting said at least one inset to said flat panel and for pivotally mounting said at least one inset between said retracted position substantially when received within said pre-cut recess and said extended operative position angularly displaced from said retracted position, whereby said inset can be selectively and repeatedly moved between said retracted and extended positions to either be substantially concealed when not in use or in a position to support a book or other object on said top surface when in use, the method comprising the steps of placing the object or stack of objects on said top surface proximate to at least one inset; and pivoting said at least one inset by moving it out of an associated pre-cut recess from a concealed retracted position to an elevated extended position substantially normal to said top surface to be proximate to or contact the object or stack of objects on said top surface at least on one side thereof to provide lateral support. 